Rays right-hander Jeremy Hellickson had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbowlast week and expected to be out until mid- to late-May, the Times has learned.

Hellickon, 26, had loose bodies removed from his elbow by Dr. Koco Eaton in what is considered a minor procedure, and is likely to miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season.

Hellickson struggled through a rough 2013 season with a 12-10, 5.17 record.Hellickson, agent Scott Boras and team officials said at the end and after theseason they did not think there was anything physically wrong just that he pitched poorly.

Hellickson started working out in his native Iowa and as recently as Jan. 17, the day he settled his arbitration case for $3.65-million, said he was in good shape and looking forward to the season.

"I'm feeling really good,'' he said then. "I feel good going into every spring. I'll be down there (in Florida) about a week early to start working out,''

But something flared up when he was throwing, the Rays had him come to St. Petersburg and Eaton did the surgery last week.

The Rays, in not trading ace David Price, looked to have one of the strongestrotations in the majors.